Boss bites back

There are signs Manuel Pellegrini is tiring of Jose Mourinho and his constant jibes at City.

This morning’s media has numerous stories emanating from yesterday’s press conference at Carrington, with the Chilean asked to respond to the Chelsea boss’ latest comments on the Manchester Blues.

Asked whether he agreed with Mourinho’s comments that City have been lucky this season Pellegrini pointed out an incident at Stamford Bridge earlier this season which the MEN’s Rob Dawson picks up on: “But Pellegrini hit back at his press conference on Friday, claiming Mourinho had conveniently forgotten about the penalty awarded against West Brom at Stamford Bridge in November which helped Chelsea salvage a 2-2 draw in stoppage time.

“It prompted referee's chief Mike Riley to apologise to Steve Clarke, who was later sacked by West Brom, for Andre Marriner's decision.

“Asked whether he felt City, who meet Chelsea again in the FA Cup fifth round on February 15, had been lucky with refereeing decisions this season, Pellegrini said: ‘For me, no.

‘Everyone acts in the way they think is better. If you are talking about the decision at Tottenham, everyone said Rose touched the ball with his left leg before he tackles Dzeko.

‘But we'd had six clear chances, it's not like in that moment the game changes.’”

There’s plenty more of the same knocking around this morning and it will no doubt continue until the title race is finally decided.

Moving on to today’s clash with Norwich, the Nigerian Tribune quotes Yaya Toure who believes new Canaries signing Joseph Yobo will be a threat to the Blues.

Dipo Ogunsola writes: “African Footballer Of The Year, Yaya Toure, says Norwich loanee Yobo Joseph could be a handful as Manchester City eye a return to winning ways when they travel to Carrow Road today.

“Yobo has just arrived from Turkish club, Fenerbahce till the end of the season and Yaya clearly understands the motive behind the Nigerian defender’s move.

‘I studied the success of players like Yobo, Romana Lualua, Celestine Babayaro and my brother, Kolo before deciding to come to England.

‘Yobo is a great player and he knows this terrain, he will give Norwich the extra strength they need to remain in this division but a match is a match, for us we plan to win.’’’

The Eastern Daily Press carry the words of Chris Hughton who believes his side can pull off a surprise win today at Carrow Road. They report: “The Canaries’ boss readily concedes the club’s 7-0 mauling in the north-west before Christmas was the most depressing point of an inconsistent campaign and Hughton knows any attempt to set the record straight will hinge on the collective resolve of those who emerge from the home dressing room.

‘There won’t be too many who expect us to beat Manchester City. The ones I would hope feel differently are my players because we know what we are capable of,’ he said.

‘We will have a fantastic crowd and we have to give them something to get behind us. That will be our message to the players. We know it’s a tall order and perhaps those games when no-one expects you to get anything can end up the most pleasing.

‘We will give everything for that to happen. You need a majority of your players at their very best and you hope the opposition do not have one of their better days.’”

At 3pm the talking stops and the action begins. Join our matchday team this afternoon for all the pre-game build-up plus commentary from 3pm.

City take on Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday 12 February in what will be a dress rehearsal for the Capital One Cup Final in March.

Can the Blues avenge the Stadium of Light defeat earlier this season? A night match under the lights at the Etihad and a preview of the forthcoming final - demand is expected to be high as Manuel Pellegrini's side attempt to continue their incredible run.